By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Retro Classic
Triumph Thruxton (986ME) vs Bonneville T100 (908MD)
Triumph Thruxton vs Bonneville T100: style matters. So does everything underneath.
Out on a winding back road, the Triumph Thruxton's overbuilt twin doesn't miss a beat beneath that sculpted cafe racer tank. The Triumph Bonneville T100 tips in light and holds its line.
So which one do you buy?
The Bonneville T100 has the edge if…
Character, looks and sound
Narrow edge: Bonneville T100
The Bonneville T100 nudges ahead on character. It's down to more distinctive styling and a purer look. It's a small gap in a category ruled by taste.
Keeping running costs low
Small edge: Bonneville T100
The Bonneville T100 comes out a little ahead on upkeep. Only a little.
Daily commuting & city riding
By a nose: Bonneville T100
For the Monday-to-Friday grind, the Bonneville T100 pulls a nose in front. The difference is lower running costs. Your own commute could easily flip it.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: Bonneville T100
Through a string of corners, the Bonneville T100 feels a little more eager. The gap is small, so ride both.
What makes each one tick
Thruxton
The Thruxton puts retro character ahead of outright performance, and its air-cooled engine pulls with mellow torque. Wire wheels and retro bodywork carry a timeless look that's made it a design icon. There's little to the engine's upkeep beyond basic maintenance. The clip-ons pull you forward.
Nils rode the Thruxton in 2014 (NastyNils Testride).
Bonneville T100
Twin carburetors feed the Bonneville T100's air-cooled engine, and it thumps along gently. The bike doesn't fight you at corner entry, where the steel frame turns in neutrally. Once it's leaned over, the chassis stays planted on twisty roads. Chrome glints off the peanut tank.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Bonneville T100 has the lower seat: 30.5 in (775 mm) vs 31.1 in (790 mm).
- The Thruxton makes more peak power: 68 hp (51 kW) vs 61 hp (46 kW).
- The Thruxton makes more peak torque: 53 lb-ft (72 Nm) vs 44 lb-ft (60 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither is a natural fit
Big miles aren't where either one shines. You'll be watching for the next rest stop.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Thruxton
What owners say
Strengths
- Iconic classic cafe racer styling
- Solid and reliable engine
Known problems to check before you buy
Thruxton
- Rear suspension unit weld recall (2004) Recall 04V496000 A poor weld on the rear suspension unit body could cause the unit to fail, compromising stability and risking a crash. Triumph recalled affected 2004 models to replace the rear suspension units (NHTSA 04V496000).
Bonneville T100
- Starter Idler Gear Boss Failure The crankcase boss where the starter idler gear mounts can crack or break off, leading to starter failure.
What they share
- Dry weight
- 452 lb (205 kg)
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Air-cooled
- Fuel capacity
- 4.2 US gal (16 L)
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Rear tire
- 130/80-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Thruxton | Bonneville T100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) | 30.5 in (775 mm) |
| Thruxton | Bonneville T100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 865 cc | 790 cc |
| Power | 68 hp (51 kW) | 61 hp (46 kW) |
| Torque | 53 lb-ft (72 Nm) | 44 lb-ft (60 Nm) |
| Thruxton | Bonneville T100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 100/90-18 | 100/90-19 |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
